Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday his candidacy for mayor of New York City, setting up a high-profile challenge to incumbent Eric Adams in an increasingly crowded race.
“New York City is the greatest city in the world,” Cuomo said, but blamed “failed Democratic leadership” and a “lack of intelligent action” for what he described as a city in crisis that “feels threatening, out of control.”
He painted a bleak picture of a metropolis struggling with crime, homelessness, and economic downturn, citing an influx of illegal immigrants, empty storefronts, graffiti, and public safety concerns.
“We can handle a crisis because we have,” Cuomo declared. “We recently did it together through COVID, and we know that the first step towards solving a problem is having the strength, having the courage to recognize it. And we know that today our New York City is in trouble.”
Positioning himself as a pragmatic moderate, Cuomo emphasized his ability to work across the aisle and collaborate with political adversaries.
“I will work with anyone who wants to work for the benefit of New York,” he said. “I have worked with President Trump in many different situations and I hope President Trump remembers his hometown and works with us to make it better.”
He also pledged to take a hard line against Washington and Albany to secure the city’s “fair share” of funding and protect the values New Yorkers hold dear.
Cuomo enters the race burdened by the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation, after spending years and millions in legal fees to fight the claims. While he did not directly address the controversy in his announcement, he alluded to his past mistakes.
“Did I always do everything right in my years of government service? Of course not,“ he said. ”Would I do some things differently knowing what I know now—certainly. Did I make mistakes, some painfully? Definitely, and I believe I learned from them and that I am a better person for it and I hope to show that every day.”
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Cuomo is expected to mount a formidable campaign. He enters the race with strong fundraising abilities, a lengthy record of accomplishments as governor, and potential backing from the moderate voters who helped Adams win office.
Adams has chosen to stay in the race despite facing federal fraud, bribery, and other charges. The Trump administration is seeking to dismiss the case against Adams, arguing that the prosecution was politically motivated and has undermined Adams’s ability to support Trump’s agenda of cracking down on illegal immigration.
The move triggered a wave of resignations, with Manhattan’s lead prosecutor and six other senior federal prosecutors in New York stepping down in protest, insisting there was no legal basis for the White House’s directive to drop the case.
The judge overseeing Adams’s case has canceled his upcoming April trial and is weighing whether to proceed or dismiss the charges.
Prosecutors have accused Adams, the first sitting New York City mayor to face criminal charges, of accepting more than $100,000 in campaign contributions and luxury benefits from foreign nationals. Adams is also accused of fabricating false financial records and instructing associates on ways to disguise illegal activities. He has denied any wrongdoing.
